Introduction

Overview

The book you are holding is different from other books about WebLogic Server 8.1 and related technologies.

First, it is an advanced book designed to complement the BEA online documentation and other introductory books on J2EE and WebLogic Server technologies, providing intermediate- to advanced-level developers, architects , and administrators with in-depth coverage of key J2EE development and deployment topics. You won t find much introductory material in this book, and the book will not replicate basic references or information available through other sources. This book starts where other books and references stop.

Second, this is a book with an opinion . As the subtitle indicates, Mastering BEA WebLogic Server focuses on best practices for building and deploying J2EE applications in WebLogic Server 8.1. The authors want to share their real-world experience with the technology and help you understand not only how things can be done, but also how things should be done . Different design solutions, architectures, construction techniques, deployment options, and management techniques will be presented and explained ”but we do not stop there. We go on and explain the benefits of a given alternative and when to use it.

Finally, the primary example application built and described in these pages is a realistic, complex application that highlights many of the features of J2EE technologies in general and WebLogic Server 8.1 in particular. The example application leverages key technologies such as JSP, Jakarta Struts, JMS, EJB, and Web Services to demonstrate their use, and the text walks you through each decision made during the development and deployment of the application to assist you in making similar decisions in your own efforts.